Thousands Of IPS Students Lose Snacks Due To Funding Misuse

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Thousands of Indianapolis Public Schools students are losing regular snacks of fresh fruit and vegetables after the district learned it had misused federal money.

IPS spent about $600,000 last year on produce for more than 10,000 students. But The Indianapolis Star reports the U.S. Department of Agriculture says the district was misusing funds intended to reimburse school districts for free breakfasts and lunches.

IPS used that money to supplement a federal program designed to give the poorest students regular access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

IPS spokeswoman Carrie Cline Black says district officials didn't know "that USDA is very specific about how you spend those funds."

She says IPS ended the snack program at a dozen elementary schools and four middle schools once it learned of the problem this summer.